My expertise:
interdisciplinary research, urban ecology, plant ecology, greening with native plants, multispecies analysis, landscape connectivity, environmental experiences, green construction processes, quantitative and qualitative approaches.
My two most recent papers focus on urban greenspace connectivity from the perspective of humans and other species:
- Hämäläinen, J. A., ..., Lehvävirta, R. S. (2026). Enhancing urban forest connectivity: a multispecies modelling approach in Helsinki. Urban Ecosystems, 29(1), Article 17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-025-01872-7
- Zhao, J., ..., Lehvävirta, S. (2026). Rethinking the accessibility of urban green space through route environment quality. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 122, Article 129541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129541

Biology of interactions
Biology of Organisms
Botanics
Conservation Biology
Ecology
Landscape ecology
Spatial planning and urban development
Urban Ecology

I'd be interested to join a project that
1) looks at whether and how landscapes with novel ecosystems allow the movement of species, and whether the same landscapes support human soft mobility, recreation and well-being AND/OR
2) studies building with native species and local native soil and the social-ecological system involved.
I have ongoing research soon short of funding, where I combine human and other species perspectives in studies of novel ecosystems of urban landscapes, including forests, meadows and man-made wild-growing vegetated roofs. Coexistence of all beings in the urban realm is a practical planning target of these projects, involving collaboration with the City of Helsinki.

urban, urban ecology, urban planning, multispecies, recreation, native plants, greening, greenspace, coexistence, species movement

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